A question was brought up regarding yesterday's post and the reference to cleft palate. First, let me say that there has never been a known case of cleft palate in these lines of Samoyeds. What my comment came from is the checklist in the Puppy Culture workbook that I have been working from. One of the things on the list of things to check when a puppy is born is this. Cleft palate is what is known as a "defect of the midline". The basic explanation is that the cells along the midline (spine, skull, etc) fail to close the way they should when those cells are being activated for their specific function. Remember, all cells started from two cells merging and then splitting over and over and over again. So at some point, the specifics of each cell, as defined in the DNA, have to be activated. When these midline cells are activated, they do not close properly and we end up with defects such as bifid nose, cleft lip or palate, spinal bifida, or a puppy born with it's intestines outside of it's abdomen. One of the ways that we try to solve this issue is by making sure the dam takes a folic acid supplement throughout her entire pregnancy (and even before going into season in some cases). Mars has been taking folic acid daily since we knew we were going to breed her. I've done this with both of my girls for all of their litters. I highly encourage you to use your favorite search engine to learn more about midline defects in dogs.
The daily dose of cuteness:
Today is nail trim day. We'll be cutting back the nails so that Momma doesn't get poked with sharpness (seriously, would you want those poking YOUR boobs?) and to train the quick in the nails to be as far back as possible. This will aid in their future nail trims as full grown dogs as the quick will already be far back. Nail trimming is one of the most important things you can do for your dog. Many of us, me included, worry and fret about cutting the quick because it hurts and the last thing we want to do is feel guilty for hurting our dogs. I'm here to tell you that you need to get over it. We all do. Dogs who do not have their nails trimmed end up having issues with posture and standing. Here's a video and web page from one of my favorite trainers, Susan Garrett, regarding the whys and how-tos. "But my dog won't let me trim his nails!" Oh, deary, there's a place for that, too. Facebook has this awesome group called Nail Maintenance for Dogs that gives tips and tricks and lots of support to get you where you need to be to trim your dog's nails successfully.
Our little wiggle worms have decided that growing is the best thing they can do. Here are today's stats:
Green Boy: chunking in at 506 grams
Blue Girl: catching up quick at 461 grams
By the way, towel wrapping didn't work. Maybe I'm afraid of wrapping too tight. However, full tummies and a less anxious momma seemed to do the trick.
These little cuties are starting to get real puppy fur, not just the coating they came out with. In addition to their cuteness, they are also doing their puppy twitching in their sleep. I've tried to learn why they do this and the best that I can come up with is their nervous system is exercising itself. I've seen my grown dogs do this, too. Blue Girl has also started barking in her sleep. It's a good thing she's cute. They are also starting to move away from Momma after eating, and she's letting them. Their cuteness abounds!
More on the adventures tomorrow.
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